We won't slip into the comfort zone, promises Bury boss David Flitcroft

PLAY without fear but do not make yourself too comfortable was the challenge Shakers manager David Flitcroft posed to his players after they all but secured their place in League Two.

Back-to-back wins at second-bottom Northampton Town on Saturday and at home to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night catapulted Bury into the top half of the table for the first time since last August.

They now take a 10-point cushion above the drop zone into this weekend’s visit of Exeter City, but while Flitcroft wants his squad to enjoy the final six games of the campaign, he will not be allowing them to coast.

“The players can now play without anxiety, without fear and enjoy it,” said Flitcroft, whose side are unbeaten in four matches since a defeat at bottom-club Torquay saw them briefly flirt with the relegation dogfight.

“There has been a lot of pressure to play a certain way but we have had to win ugly and that’s what we have done since the Torquay game.

“Since that defeat I have purposefully changed the style and we have dug in.

“But while I want my players to go out and express themselves now, I don’t do comfort zone. I can’t stand comfort. I don’t like the word comfort.

“I will make sure that this group of players maintain high standards – maintain the unbeaten home record that we have got and keep going away from home with a verve to bring back points.”

Bury’s squad had shown signs of flagging during a run that has seen them play 12 matches in six weeks, but a double striker swoop last Thursday, on loan window deadline day, provided a timely boost.

Hallam Hope – a 20-year-old Everton forward – hit the ground running with a goal in each of this week’s games, while Flitcroft’s other signing, Barnsley front man Danny Rose, also 20, came off the bench to score on his debut at Northampton.

The loss of Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, who was recalled by parent club Tranmere after the loan window closed, now looks immaterial as Flitcroft prepares to start planning for next season.

“It’s been a mad 14 weeks, there is no doubt about that,” he said.

“I might reflect in the summer about what a difficult job this has been. People may forget where we were at the start of my tenure, but I am proud of what this group of players has achieved.

“Phase one was to consolidate and we have nearly achieved that.

“Now we will speak with the board and the chairman and really knuckle down and get some planning right for next season.”

That planning actually started on Monday, when Flitcroft released all but one of his final-year academy scholars, offering Navid Nasseri an extended trial with the first team before deciding his fate.

Comments (4)

yes well done yet again Flikkers!! we noticed we had stopped playing the nice football we all wanted to see and did see in the first few weeks.
But what a manager you are you put that style on the back burner played a different style got the points we needed very very clever,
and also credit to the players for changing as required this squad can mix it play ugly or play nice football a far cry from the squad assembled by Billy Bullshitter Backwell who could`t play anyway they was asked to .

yes well done yet again Flikkers!! we noticed we had stopped playing the nice football we all wanted to see and did see in the first few weeks.
But what a manager you are you put that style on the back burner played a different style got the points we needed very very clever,
and also credit to the players for changing as required this squad can mix it play ugly or play nice football a far cry from the squad assembled by Billy Bullshitter Backwell who could`t play anyway they was asked to .mammol

"The Shakers have won seven, drawn 10 and lost four of their 21 league matches since Flitcroft took control in December, while the former Barnsley boss has also overseen a large turnover of players since his appointment."

Can you ever in your wildest imagination think KB or Big Ronnie could have achieved these numbers?

David, well done Sir...You are the rock of our club".

This piece says it all fans---courtesy of M.E.N.
"The Shakers have won seven, drawn 10 and lost four of their 21 league matches since Flitcroft took control in December, while the former Barnsley boss has also overseen a large turnover of players since his appointment."
Can you ever in your wildest imagination think KB or Big Ronnie could have achieved these numbers?
David, well done Sir...You are the rock of our club".easylife44

Yes I can but the small minded idiots hounded them out before they had a chance to realise their aspirations.
33 percent win ratio might have been better than kb but the rocket was doing an ok job for us.

Yes I can but the small minded idiots hounded them out before they had a chance to realise their aspirations.
33 percent win ratio might have been better than kb but the rocket was doing an ok job for us.Eileenshakers

Eileenshakers wrote:
Yes I can but the small minded idiots hounded them out before they had a chance to realise their aspirations.
33 percent win ratio might have been better than kb but the rocket was doing an ok job for us.

11 Games in Charge for Ronnie.

Won 2
Drawn 5
Lost 4
Goals for 9
Goals Against 13

Not too impressive....and we won't mention 2 bites at the cherry to beat Cambridge United...and lost...to a non league team...who will not be promoted.

Other than that, Ronnie s a good lad. :-)

[quote][p][bold]Eileenshakers[/bold] wrote:
Yes I can but the small minded idiots hounded them out before they had a chance to realise their aspirations.
33 percent win ratio might have been better than kb but the rocket was doing an ok job for us.[/p][/quote]11 Games in Charge for Ronnie.
Won 2
Drawn 5
Lost 4
Goals for 9
Goals Against 13
Not too impressive....and we won't mention 2 bites at the cherry to beat Cambridge United...and lost...to a non league team...who will not be promoted.
Other than that, Ronnie s a good lad. :-)easylife44